WHO adds single-dose human papillomavirus vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed this Friday:Tsekolin‘ How fourth vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) single dose.

The decision is based on data from new products that meet the criteria set out in the 2022 WHO recommendations for alternative and off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose regimens. ““This important development will help improve the sustainable supply of HPV vaccines, reaching more girls with vaccines that prevent cervical cancer.” noted by WHO.

“Unlike most other cancers, we have the opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer and its painful disparities. By adding another option to the single-dose HPV vaccination schedule, we have taken another step towards making cervical cancer a thing of history,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

More than 95 percent of the 660,000 cases of cervical cancer that occur each year worldwide are caused by HPV. Every two minutes, a woman dies worldwide from this preventable disease, and 90 percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Of the 20 countries most affected by cervical cancer, 19 are in Africa.

WHO assures that the introduction of the HPV vaccine has been constrained by global supply shortages since 2018 and production problems faced by one manufacturer earlier this year have led to new shortages that could affect millions of girls who need HPV vaccines in Africa and Asia.

“Achieving full vaccination of 90 percent of girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15 is the goal of the first pillar of the WHO global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer,” said Director of the WHO Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biological Products Kate O’Brien.

“Given ongoing supply challenges, the addition of single-dose vaccines means countries will have more vaccine options to reach more girls,” she added.

Indications for the use of a single dose of this additional vaccine, Cecolin, were included in the second edition of the WHO technical document on considerations for HPV vaccine selection. As with other drugs and vaccines, when there is evidence to support a modified use, based on clear public health benefit, public health advisory bodies may recommend “off-label” use, to the point where the manufacturer will add that modified use to its product label. label.

Global data released on July 15, 2024 show that one-dose HPV vaccine coverage among girls aged 9 to 14 years increased from 20 percent in 2022 to 27 percent in 2023. In 2023, 37 countries used a single dose regimen. As of September 10, 2024, 57 countries use a single dose regimen. WHO estimates that the adoption of a single-dose vaccination schedule will enable at least 6 million girls to be vaccinated against HPV by 2023.

Earlier this year, countries and partners pledged nearly $600 million in new funding to eliminate cervical cancer. Funding includes $180 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, $10 million from UNICEF and $400 million from the World Bank. Along with Gavi’s ongoing commitment, this investment “Help accelerate HPV vaccine uptake among girls and increase coverage through 2030,” they assure.

Thus, further good news for WHO is the prequalification of an additional HPV vaccine, Valrinvax, on August 2, 2024, making it the fifth product available on the global market.

‘Valrinwax‘ is being prequalified under a two-dose regimen. More data will be needed to assess whether this vaccine can be recommended in the future using a single dose regimen.